LAMOURE PLEASED WITH STEADY POINTS CLIMB

Darrell LaMoure and the Desert Thunder Motorsports will pull into Utah this weekend for two reasons. One is obvious, they love to race! LaMoure, a regular on the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series will not deny he is pleased with his recent move up in the points.

But their second reason for traveling from track to track has now become more important than the first. You see, this year the Desert Thunder Motorsports team is racing for something other than the points or a shot at the win, this year they are racing for the missing. At every track they visit, they carry the face of someone's missing loved one on their hood.

This race Amy Wroe-Bechtel will be featured on their hood. If you are at Rocky Mountain Raceway this weekend, take a moment to look at the picture of Amy and the other missing children and adults on the team hauler. Behind every photo of every missing person are broken hearts. You may have seen one of these missing children or adults and you may be able to help them or their loved ones. You'll never know if you never look.

Team: Desert Thunder Motorsports "Racing for the Missing"
Car #: 17k
Driver: Darrell LaMoure
Owner: Roger & Joanne LaMoure
Name/Position of person completing this form: DL The "Shoe"

RacingWest: Could you detail how you are making the hours work on this June schedule?
Darrell LaMoure: First, a note to the teams and fans that read the weekly racing comments from the pages of RacingWest. If you haven't noticed we get a lot of attention in these pages! Guess why? Because we see the value of its content. You have the same opportunity we do, if you do not take advantage of this, well it your loss. One of the most important ingredients involved in a successful racing program is public relations. RacingWest offers us an avenue where we can share our thoughts and plug our teams and sponsors...

Ok, time, balancing our schedules. Not crashing lately has helped a lot. I personally am very fortunate to have the group of guys I have; they have great work ethics and are willing to struggle a bit at times. This team has complete commitment to each other and there family life is good enough to deal with the flexible scheduling this series requires. My thanks goes out to each of the team wives for allowing them time to help this effort. Oh by the way the team, Vince, Steve, Carmine, Steve & Rob are the core and my reason for continuing the effort.

RW: Will you be able to make every race this month?
DL: So far with some discomfort, yes we will and have made the entire schedule the series has given us. Having two cars helps, but there is still a lot of work to be done prior to loading the car for any event.

RW: Has the schedule had any impact on your points?
DL: Without pulling the wool over anyone's eyes, we set out not planning to run in the points series game, but doing well has been like having a carrot dangled in front of us. "Racing for the Missing" mission has removed a portion of the points pressure however it is still sitting right in front of us! Concentration on preparation of the cars before each event is and will be our number one priority.

RW: What is your regular job during the week?
DL: I have worked with my Family's business for over twenty years in the high tech industry of electronics. The title I carry is Vice President but, at times janitor...

RW: Has your team been able to travel with you to all the races?
DL: Almost every race, Carmine missed one race because he agravated his injured knee at the shop one night. Being this team is all volunteer and all they want is to be competitive the only reward is seeing the car do well and taking the little mini vacations we take most of the races. Like San Diego(beaches) Sonoma (Wine country)... and then the pit stop races are the real reward, they love it!

RW: What are your hopes/expectations for Rocky Mountain Raceway?
DL: I do not want to set us up for a major disappointment. Reality is we never know how or where we will finish or even finish. This series is so competitive and nobody gives an inch out there. The past few races we have had a good time, this is our goal for Utah. Nothing but fun, fun, fun.

RW: Will you be doing any special appearances, have any new sponsors or do you have any comments for the fans?
DL: We will feature Amy Wroe Bechtel again in Utah, she was found missing in Wyoming so it fits our program.